Northern Exposure. Thursday, August 6

Tom Reynolds led this ride, which he calls "Simpson Chapel Ride".

Here's Tom getting us organized, complete with custom maps, before we set out.

(Click to enlarge.)

Tom led us out north through town to Bottom Rd, where we flew along the bottom lands. We then climbed Simpson Chapel, where we regrouped shortly before getting to Sample Rd. Then we went across on Sample Rd, toward town on Old 37, up Fire House Hill, for our last regrouping. We then headed down to Griffey Lake and up Headley and home through town.

We had 18 riders on a nice summer evening. Shelley broke a derailleur cable on the way out and wisely decided to head back toward town before climbing Simpson Chapel. Reports are that she did need to walk on the way back up the hill from Bottom Rd. CE accompanied her back home. (By Saturday's ride she had apparently gotten a full tune up, with new cables, as well as a new chain and cassette to boot.)

Here are some of the group at the rest and water stop on Firehouse Hill.

(Click to enlarge.)

Overall we had a ride of about 28 miles, with several good hill climbs: Club House Dr (or should we call it Monastery Hill?) in Cascades, Simpson Chapel, Firehouse Hill, and Hinkle Rd up from Griffey Lake. As usual on the way back into town the group split up into twos and threes as people headed home.